What's Heaven?

a book by Maria Shriver that I want to buy or check out at the library.

Wanted to share with you something that Kelsey said to me. I'm sitting here on the computer in the dining room. She came from the living room where she was playing with her little dollhouse and she had her hands clasped together and said to me, "Mommy, I prayed that your Mommy would come back."

To a little three-year old, not sure how they really perceive the whole "dieing" thing or how they wrap their little minds around it. The boys, ages, six and eight, know that Grandma is in heaven with God along with Grandpa Jack, Grandpa Glover, Uncle Clarence, etc. And, they know {believe} they are in a beautiful place and will be happy forever and that we will see them again one day. Tim and I have talked with the boys since they were Kelsey's age or younger about death and dieing in a very simple way, of course. Robert had a Caillou book (PBS preschool cartoon) and it was geared towards preschool age children and explained how all living things grow, change and eventually die. I do remember, Robert, being a little fixated on the book (I think he was only three or four) and I hid it so we couldn't read it for awhile. Although, now with Kelsey, I'm not sure she really understands. I feel like I haven't really explained things to her enough about loss. I'm thinking I need to find that Caillou book or even find a different one to read to her...or maybe I'm just thinking too much into it. Either way, I know, that through all of this, my children have learned great lessons in compassion and faith. I know they will be better people because of it.

Whenever I get the least bit "weepy," Kelsey always says to me, "you miss Grandma Jack?" and then gives me a hug and tells me, "it's ok."